Saturday, May 26, 2012

Seven Finger Lakes Community College employees and one student were recognized during commencement on May 19 as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor in the State University of New York system. Recipients were as follows:

Jacob Amidon of Clifton Springs, associate professor of mathematics and chair of the department of mathematics, was honored for excellence in faculty service. A member of the faculty since 2002, Amidon chairs the Academic Senate and has served as coordinator for the Gladys M. Snyder Center for Teaching and Learning, which facilitates professional development classes and conferences.

Elizabeth Brownell of Victor, associate professor of graphic design, was honored for excellence in teaching. A member of the faculty since 2000, Brownell received a Strategic Opportunity Stipend, a New York Foundation for the Arts and NYS Council on the Arts grant that allowed Brownell to create an interactive sculpture displayed at the Phelps Arts Center. She also designed the T-shirt for the 2004 Park Avenue Festival in Rochester.

Barbara Kruger of Rochester, professor of modern languages, was honored for excellence in teaching. She joined FLCC in 1996 and, in addition to her teaching load, has been coordinating and leading short-term study abroad programs and other international travel for students since 1998.

Sarah Whiffen of Clifton Springs, director of student life, was honored for excellence in professional service. Whiffen, who joined FLCC in 2002, has developed leadership training opportunities for students and the Parents as Partners program to support families of new students.

Elena Samson of Fairport, coordinator of secondary programs, was honored for excellence in professional service. She joined FLCC in 2002 and works with 30 high schools and 200 instructors to administer the Gemini program, which allows high school students to take FLCC courses for college credit. She works with state and national organizations to promote quality standards-based concurrent enrollment programs.

Sarah Moon of Canandaigua, automated systems and technical services librarian, was honored for excellence in librarianship. An FLCC alumna who joined the college in 2002, she was recognized for mastery of technology and Web applications and her service to the college.

Deborah DePauw of Canandaigua, principal account clerk, was honored for excellence in classified service. An FLCC alumna, she joined the college in 1991 and has played an integral role in processing accounts payable in a timely and accurate manner and automating ordering processes.

Jade Myers of Canandaigua, a 2012 graduate with a degree in chemical dependency counseling and liberal arts, was honored for student excellence. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges, she founded an organization called Ravensgrin Commons to organize classes, events and exhibits that showcase local musicians, dancers and visual artists.